Integrated Skirt-Hood For A Backpack

ABSTRACT

A backpack having a body including a storage compartment formed between first and second ends. A support member can be attached to the body for supporting the body on a user. A skirt may be connected to the first end of the body and a hood can be integrally connected to the skirt. An actuation member may extend along at least a portion of the top edge portion of the skirt and connected to the hood to move the skirt and hood between open and closed positions so that when the actuation member is pulled, the skirt and hood are simultaneously moved to the closed position in a single motion to close the storage compartment at the first end of the body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/053,906, filed May 16, 2008, the entire contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to an integrated skirt-hood fora backpack.

BACKGROUND

During outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, or rock-climbing,backpacks use various means to prevent snow and rain from entering thepack. In some instances, in order to achieve this task, some top-loadingor top-access backpacks use skirts (e.g., snow skirts, sleeves,spindrift collars, collars, etc.). For instance, skirts may be loosematerial that can be pulled together to close the pack, much like adrawstring trash bag. Thus, the skirt may be used to form a firststorage compartment. After the skirt is pulled closed, another piece ofmaterial—called a hood, lid, pod, or spindrift collar—is flipped overthe top of the skirt and secured to form a second enclosure. In thisway, the pack is able to protect the items stored in the backpack fromthe natural elements (e.g., rain, sleet, snow, etc.). The secondenclosure may also act as pocket for storing items.

For example, FIG. 1 a is a side view of a prior art backpack 8 shown inthe open position. As can be seen in the figure, in previous versions oftop-loading backpacks, the hood 10 and skirt 11 are separate pieces. Inorder to close the pack, a user must first cinch the skirt 11 usingdrawstring 12 and then flip the hood 10 over the skirt 11. Thus, theskirt 11 forms a first storage compartment and the hood forms aseparate, second storage compartment. FIG. 1 b shows the prior artbackpack 8 of FIG. 1 a in the closed position, in which the hood 10fully covers the skirt 11.

Backpacks, such as the ones shown in FIGS. 1 a-b, with both a hood andsnow skirt require multiple steps to close, and the process can betime-consuming, and difficult for some, and increases the likelihoodthat the pack will be closed improperly. In addition, the extra materialrequired for forming the separate storage compartments increases theweight of the pack.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved backpack. Morespecifically, in embodiments of the present invention, the closure ofthe pack may be substantially simplified because a user is able to closeboth the skirt and the hood with a single motion to form a singlestorage compartment, thus reducing time, simplifying operation of thebackpack, and decreasing the overall weight of the pack (because thecombination of the skirt and hood allows less material to be used).

Thus, certain embodiments of the present invention address the need fora combination skirt-hood apparatus that allows a user to quickly close abackpack—such as a top-loading backpack—with a single motion, such as asingle pull to form a single storage compartment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The present invention generally relates to an integrated skirt-hood fora backpack such that both the skirt and the hood can be closed with asingle motion of an actuation member to form a single storagecompartment.

In accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention, abackpack is provided having a body including a storage compartmentformed between first and second ends. A support member can be attachedto the body for supporting the body on a user. A skirt may be connectedto the first end of the body and a hood can be integrally connected tothe skirt. An actuation member may extend along at least a portion of atop edge portion of the skirt and connected to the hood to move theskirt and hood between open and closed positions so that when theactuation member is pulled, the skirt and hood are simultaneously movedto the closed position in a single motion to close the storagecompartment at the first end of the body.

In accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention, abackpack is provided having a body including a storage compartmentformed between first and second ends. A pair of shoulder straps may beattached to the body for supporting the body on a user. A snow skirt maybe connected to the first end of the body and a hood may be integratedwith the snow skirt. A drawstring may extend along at least a portion ofa top edge portion of the snow skirt and connected to the hood to movethe skirt and hood between open and closed positions. A cord lockingdevice may be attached to the drawstring. When the drawstring is pulled,the snow skirt and hood may be simultaneously moved to the closedposition in a single motion to close the storage compartment at thefirst end of the body.

In accordance with other embodiments of the present invention, atop-loading technical backpack is provided having a body including astorage compartment formed between a top end and a closed bottom end. Apair of shoulder straps may be attached to the body for supporting thebody on a user. A snow skirt may be connected to the top end of the bodyand a hood may be integrally connected to the snow skirt. A drawstringmay extend along at least a portion of a top edge portion of the snowskirt, and connected to the hood, to move the skirt and hood betweenopen and closed positions, and a cord locking device may be attached tothe drawstring. When the drawstring is pulled, the snow skirt and hoodare simultaneously moved to the closed position in a single motion toclose the storage compartment at the top end of the body.

The invention may be embodied in numerous devices and through numerousmethods and systems. The following detailed description, taken inconjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses examples of theinvention. Other embodiments, which incorporate some, all or more of thefeatures as taught herein, are also possible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings, which form a part of this disclosure:

FIGS. 1 a-b show a prior art backpack having a skirt and hood that areopened and closed in separate steps;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a backpack that may be employed inaccordance with certain embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged partial view of the backpack of FIG. 2 in theopen position; and

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the backpack of FIG. 2 in the closedposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention generally relates to an integrated skirt-hood fora backpack. Certain embodiments of the present invention integrate thebackpack's skirt with a hood such that a single motion closes both theskirt and the hood.

Referring initially to FIGS. 2-4, a backpack 20 is shown having a body22 including a storage compartment 24 formed between first and secondends 26, 28. As can be seen, one or more support members 21 can beattached to the body 22 for supporting the body on a user. A skirt 32may be connected to the first end 26 of the body 22 and a hood 31 can beintegrally connected to the skirt 32. An actuation member 36 may extendalong at least a portion of a top edge portion 39 of the skirt 32 andcan be connected to the hood 31. As can be seen in FIGS. 3-4, theactuation member 36 can be used to move the skirt 32 and hood 31 betweenopen and closed positions so that when the actuation member 36 ispulled, the skirt 32 and hood 31 are simultaneously moved to the closedposition in a single motion.

As seen in FIG. 2, certain embodiments of the present invention'sbackpack body 22 may comprise a storage compartment 24 formed betweenthe first and second ends 26, 28. The storage compartment 24 may varysignificantly by size and shape and any number of shapes and sizes maybe used. In certain embodiments, the backpack body 22 is roughlycylindrical in shape. In certain embodiments, one end, in the examplethe second end 28, of the backpack body may be closed, while the other(e.g., the first end 26) may be open.

As seen in FIG. 2, the backpack 20 may also have a support member 21connected to the backpack body for supporting the backpack on the user.In certain embodiments, the support member 21 can be a pair of shoulderstraps connected to one side of the backpack body 22. In otherembodiments, the support member 21 may be a single strap extendingdiagonally across one side of the backpack body. In other embodiments,the support member may be any other structure used to support thebackpack body on the user.

Turning to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the skirt 32 can be located atthe top end of the backpack 20, and may comprise a flexible materialroughly forming a “U” shaped opening when viewed from above. The toppoints of the “U” (points 34 and 35 in FIG. 3) are connected to thebottom portion of the hood 31, thus closing off the open portion of the“U” shape. The skirt 32 is connected lengthwise to the backpack body 22,such that the skirt 32 acts as an extension of the backpack body 22. Incertain embodiments, the skirt 32 may contain a hollow top edge portion39 in order to contain an actuation member 26 such as a drawstring 33.In other embodiments, the actuation device may be located on the outsideof the skirt 32.

Turning to FIG. 3, certain embodiments of the present invention alsocontain a hood 31. In the example shown, the hood 31 is located at thetop portion of the backpack body. The hood 31 extends upwards from thetop of the backpack body and is joined to either end of the skirt 32,such as at points 34 and 35. In certain embodiments, the hood 31 may becurved slightly so that it hangs over the top of the backpack when inthe closed position.

Also shown in FIG. 3 are fastening devices 37, 38 that may be used tosecure the hood to the backpack body. The fastening devices 37, 38 maycomprise any devices that secure the hood to the backpack body,including, but not limited to, hook and loop mechanisms, buttons,buckles, snaps, etc. In the example, buckles are used; however, othersuitable fasteners may be used.

FIG. 3 also illustrates an actuation member 36 that extends along a topedge portion 39 of the skirt 32. The ends of the actuation member 36 arealso connected to the hood, such as to the side edges of the hood. Inthe example shown in FIG. 3, and as described above, the actuationmember 36 may be a drawstring 33 and the ends of the drawstring 33 maybe attached to the hood 31 at points 34 and 35.

As the drawstring 33 of the skirt 32 is pulled, the skirt 32 istightened closed, while the hood 31 is simultaneously pulled over theskirt. When the drawstring 33 is fully pulled, the skirt 32 will becompletely closed and the hood 31 will be pulled on top of the closedskirt, as shown in FIG. 4.

In certain embodiments of the present invention the hood 31 and skirt 32may be secured in the closed position using cord lock 40 (shown in FIG.3).

While various embodiments have been described, other embodiments areplausible. It should be understood that the foregoing descriptions ofvarious examples of the integrated skirt-hood for a backpack are notintended to be limiting, and any number of modifications, combinations,and alternatives of the examples may be employed.

The examples described herein are merely illustrative, as numerous otherembodiments may be implemented without departing from the spirit andscope of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Moreover,while certain features of the invention may be shown on only certainembodiments or configurations, these features may be exchanged, added,and removed from and between the various embodiments or configurationswhile remaining within the scope of the invention. Likewise, methodsdescribed and disclosed may also be performed in various sequences, withsome or all of the disclosed steps being performed in a different orderthan described while still remaining within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention.

1. A backpack, comprising: a body including a storage compartment formedbetween first and second ends; at least one support member attached tothe body for supporting the body on a user; a skirt connected to thefirst end of the body; a hood integrally connected to the skirt; and anactuation member extending along at least a portion of a top edgeportion of the skirt and connected to the hood to move the skirt andhood between open and closed positions, wherein when the actuationmember is pulled, the skirt and hood are simultaneously moved to theclosed position in a single motion to close the storage compartment atthe first end of the body.
 2. The backpack of claim 1, furthercomprising at least one fastening member to secure the hood to the body.3. The backpack of claim 2, wherein the at least one fastening member isa buckle assembly.
 4. The backpack of claim 2, wherein the at least onefastening member is a hook and loop fastener.
 5. The backpack of claim1, wherein the actuation member is a drawstring.
 6. The backpack ofclaim 1, wherein the backpack is a top-loading backpack.
 7. The backpackof claim 4, wherein the backpack is a technical backpack.
 8. Thebackpack of claim 1, further comprising a cord locking device attachedto the drawstring.
 9. The backpack of claim 1, wherein the at least onesupport member is a pair of shoulder straps.
 10. The backpack of claim1, wherein the skirt is a snow skirt.
 11. The backpack of claim 1,wherein the first end is a top of the backpack and the second end is thebottom of the backpack.
 12. The backpack of claim 11, wherein the bottomof the backpack is closed.
 13. A backpack, comprising: a body includinga storage compartment formed between first and second ends; a pair ofshoulder straps attached to the body for supporting the body on a user;a snow skirt connected to the first end of the body; a hood integratedwith the snow skirt; a drawstring extending along at least a portion ofa top edge portion of the snow skirt and connected to the hood to movethe skirt and hood between open and closed positions; and a cord lockingdevice attached to the drawstring, wherein when the actuation member ispulled, the snow skirt and hood are simultaneously moved to the closedposition in a single motion to close the storage compartment at thefirst end of the body.
 14. The backpack of claim 13, further comprisingat least one fastening member to secure the hood to the body.
 15. Thebackpack of claim 13, wherein the backpack is a top-loading backpack.16. The backpack of claim 13, wherein the backpack is a technicalbackpack.
 17. The backpack of claim 13, wherein the first end is a topof the backpack and the second end is the bottom of the backpack. 18.The backpack of claim 17, wherein the bottom of the backpack is closed.19. A top-loading technical backpack, comprising: a body including astorage compartment formed between a top end and a closed bottom end; apair of shoulder straps attached to the body for supporting the body ona user; a snow skirt connected to the top end of the body; a hoodintegrally connected to the snow skirt; a drawstring extending along atleast a portion of a top edge portion of the snow skirt and connected tothe hood to move the skirt and hood between open and closed positions;and a cord locking device attached to the drawstring, wherein when theactuation member is pulled, the snow skirt and hood are simultaneouslymoved to the closed position in a single motion to close the storagecompartment at the top end of the body.
 20. The backpack of claim 19,further comprising at least one fastening member to secure the hood tothe body.